Editorial Comment
Phalla has been director of the Unacas home for since mid 2020 and has built a network of Cambodian supporters donating food clothing and finance to support the work he is doing. Such is that network that he is often contacted by authorities when they become aware of families in need of help and support. He regularly visits poor communities taking food and supplies to help those who have found themselves in circumstances similar to what he experienced as a young boy.
Please note Phalla writes in his own words.
Success Stories - Phalla, Current Director of UNACAS
1. Life In Countryside
I was born in Prey Veng Province in the year of 1985. My home just along the border of Cambodia-Vietnam. People were doing rice paddies and animal raising for living. In 1995, it was famine in the territory where I lived. My parents just could not feed the five kids with the empty food at home; hence, I was sending away to a Buddhist Temple in Kampong Cham Province by expecting that I would have enough food to eat. But in the Buddhist Temple, they only provide breakfast and lunch, no dinner for everybody. I was always got hungry during the night by my young age. Then I just decided to leave the Temple and started to pick the rubbish for living. Sometime, I just begging for food on the street. I just slept and ate on the street for 2 years.
Something never forget, I stepped on a rust big nail,one day, while I picked the rubbish. I got suffer from the tetanus, for I had no take any medicine or injection. I just lied down on the street and cried for help for 3 months finally, a lady saw meand sent me to an orphanage.
2. Life In Orphanage
In late 1997, I was sent to an orphanage called: Unaccompanied Association (UNACAS).
Unacas is running as an orphanage since her started in 1994. I was very happy to join in Unacas’ family in late 1997, for I could have a real and better place to stay, I had 3 meals a day, and I just got many friends. Particularly, I was sent to school like other kids. I loved school, and I studied very hard at school. Mrs. Sor Sakkada, the very first directress of Unacas, worked very hard in order to raise about 55 orphans during mygeneration. And she was always keeping encourage every kid to work hard and study hard as well.
All in primary school, second school and high school I was alwaysamong the top 3 students. Unacas was helped by Christian families or NGOs, and every time when they come for a visit, they always shared Jesus’ love to everyone in the orphanage. I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and got baptized when I was 13 years old. The story does not stop there; besides, working very hard at school, I also loved my Sunday School.
3. Life In University and Ministry.
I studied very hard in university and also in Bible School. Four years passed by, I amgraduated from both schools. Soon later on, I started my job as an English teacher in university and also planted a church in Phnom Penh in 2009. My salary from the teaching didsupported my ministry inthe church and as well as able to adopt the 7 children. I had beenteaching in university for 3 years and I also pastoral the church at the same time. It was just ahome-church with about 50 members during the time. Next, in 2013 I got a scholarship to doMaster Degree in Divinity ( MDiv) in Hong Kong. Hench, I had to resign from school andleave my church and go further for my theology studies. In 2016, I returned to Cambodia andworked as a Biblical teacher and pastor in one local Seminary. I worked there only for 2 years,which by next, I have started my own Ministry and formed one mini-Bible Institute. I keep running the ministry up to now. In 2020, God called me back to Unacas (the orphanage). Plus,to my current ministry, I am also working as the Principal of Unacas now. I love Unacas and I am willing to serve the orphans here. I have 72 kids in Unacas now.
